all matters of faith how soone they appeare in Scripture In this third kind mâ—n may sinne very â—angâ—rously of obstinacie as in the second of Error and in the first of Ignorance Albeit before men the greatnesse of the injurie bee esteemed for the most part by the obiect â—aâ—tia personae su pâ—et â—mpâ—â—tatem 〈◊〉 before God the qualitie of the doer and maner of doing agaâ—egs the sinne no lesse thâ—n the substance of the deed Paul his eating of flesh may be a great guiltinesse as well as his persecution Remember the hoove of Moses Daniels meat and the opening of his window Mordecai his preâ—senesle Eleazars morsel Pauls houre and appearance of evill Christ Racâ— his rite of washing of hands Ismaels laughing c. The smallest matters the least gestures the shortest time the meanest appearance of evill which are mole-hills in the worlds estimation may be mountains in the eyes of God especially being found in some persons and done after a certaine manner The warning Be ye holy as I am holy is most frequent in Leviticus a book of ceremonies which both giveth comfortable assurance that God will accept of our services in the least duties and teacheth also that true holinesse the perfect paterne whereof he pointeth at in his own holines extendeth it selfe to the care of the smallest rites Archip. I must confesse by your discourse and examples that it is so But I see not the reason wherefore it should be so how can so mean matters be capable of so great guiltinesse Epaph. A natural Naaman would speak so of the whole rites of Christian religion of the very substance of both sacraments But I vvould wish you to thinke that as in matters fundamentall so also in rituall there bee three sorts of sinne one of Ignorance the cause wherof is in the mind another of Infirmitie comming of the affections and the third of obstinate maliciousnesse rooted in the will No man but he sinneth daily in things indifferent of Ignorance not knowing them to be indifferent No man but he sinneth frequently of Infirmitie in things indifferent miscarried with some passion or temptation but who against engyring light doth sinne obstinately in the least jot of that unalterable veritie can you deny but hee sinneth heynously in a matter of faith The enforced ceremonies may seeme small to our adversaries because they bring small reason for them and may seeme to bee no matters of faith because they bring no word of faith for them yet the matters vvherewith Christ charged the Scribes and Pharisees were not so great I haue often observed in my experience That a little leavâ— sowreth the whole lumpe and I know by my owne heart That a narrow faith makes a roome conscience Archip. Shew me then how a man shall behave himselfe that he faile not in matters of faith Epaph. It is a good distinction of faith How every one shall be kept from faâ—â—ing in matters of faith that is observed by Lombardus out of Augustine There is one faith vvhereby vve beleeue another faith which vve beleeue In respect of the one all our actions especially in the vvorship of God and more specially such of them as are controverted and called in question must bee matters of faith Hee that doubteth is damned if hee eat because hee eateth not of faith In respect of the other whatsoever is prescribed in the word is a matter of faith whether it be ceremony or substance whether expresly or by consequent whether in the particular or in the generall Fides quae creditur ducat fidem quaÌ„ creditur Now right order requireth that the faith which I beleeue be the leader of the faith whereby I beleeue otherwise this will bee a faithlesse faith and proue effectlesse in the end As the order of Nature is Matters Res conceptus voces Verbuâ— fides en â—us Thoughâ—s Words so the order of the kirk is Scripture Faith Worship I◠〈◊〉 the first Axiome of our profession and the best rule for our dirâ—ction That the Sâ—â—â—â—ture is the oneâ—y Canon of all things belonging to religion and the onely judge of all controversies All which shall be more cleare wâ—â—n we sâ—â—â—ke of indifferencie the other branch of your appearance Archip. Dâ—ctrine of th ngs indifferent obâ—cure As Archimâ—des tombe when Cicero came to visite it was all overgrowâ—â— with thâ—◠〈◊〉 so seemeth the matter of indifferencie to me noâ—hâ—ng more talked of nothing lesse knowne We are all in time â—laâ—e motion c. yet the nature of time place motion is so all digested after so manifold assayes that it gaue occasion to one â—o say That they hauâ— so many bones that the Philosophâ—rs are like to wiâ—rie on them and haue need of cranes to pluck them out of their throats All our senses and wits are exerâ—ised about things indiff rent and yet so ignorant of the nature and vse of things indiffâ—rent that the wittiest that I haue h ard or read are like the Fox in the Fable liâ—king onely the outside of the glasse but never comming to the meat within wherof if it hath been your happines to taste I beseech you call me to the banket Epaph What wiser will ye be when I haue told you the Scholastik distinction of Indifferentia Identitatiâ— in things altogether coincident Indifferentia communitatis of things generall in respect of their particulars Receptionis of the matter in respect of the diversitie of formes Indifferencie taken in a thâ—efold sen e. Aliqâ—â—d dâ—citut AdiaphoraÌ„ sive indiffereÌ„s â—ribas modis 1 Comparatâ—ve per â—â—ationem 2 Effective et per cons quentiaâ— 3 Subiective et formaliter actionis in respect of this or that particular action and have out of their smokie subtilties discoursed vpon them severally when I haue deaved you with Puel Meisnerus and many moe their rulâ—s their restrictions and ampliations yee will esteeme them all but shelles and not kirnels and so will depart as hungry as yee came And therefore to lâ—aue them to themselves and not to bee nice with you about the word of Indifferencie brought rather from Athens or Rome then from Ierusalem would you tune your care a little to our common phrase yee may obserue that we call a thing Indifferent in a threefold sense First by comparison or relation of one thing to another Secondly in respect of the effects and consequents that it hath And thirdly a thing is indifferent in the owne nature and qualitie beside which three wayes we use not to name any thing indifferent I will cleare them unto you orderly Archip. Ye haue need for that popular indifferencie of yours seemeth to mee as obscure as the other Scholasticke indifferencie And first what call ye the Relatiue indifferencie or indifferent by comparison Epaph. Any thing is called of us indifferent in the first sence 1 Comparativâ— peâ— relationem indifferens vvhen it is taken with comparison or relation to the maine or
and the voyces of men in the world are farre different Thy times and wayes are in the Lords hands Set thy selfe in his presence view the course as it began proceeded hath been resisted should be refused and may end and see whether it shall be any griefe or offence of heart unto thee on that day that thou hast kept thy selfe in the loue of the truth from the beginnings of defection the end whereof no flesh can see and every heart may justly feare that it shall be beyong English Conformity in so farre as their lukewarm nesse hath been towards the hot and ours is after it towards the cold The Lord giue wisedome in all things Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glorie with exceeding joy To the onely wise God our Saviour be glory and majâ—ste dominion and power now and ever Amen The Course of Conformitie I. As it hath proceeded in times by past wherin consider 1 The incomparable goodnesse of God at the Reformation 2 The open malice of Satan to set up Idolatrie againe 3 The faithfulnesse of the ministry maugre all opposition preserving their 1 Vnitie 2 Authoritie 3 Order 4 Puritie of externall worship 4 The wiles of Sathan bringing in by degrees 1 For vnitie Division which 1 Entred at Perth 2 Increased at Dundie 3 Prevailed at Montrose 4 Brought forth many Tragedies deploted at 1 Bruntvland 2 Halyâ—udhouse 2 For authority Anarchie Begun about the Assembly of Aberdene and continued sensine 3 For order Episcopacâ— by 6 steps 1 Vote in parliameÌ„t at Perth 2 Perpetuall moderation at Linlithgow 3 High commission 4 Power Eccles at Glasgow 5 Consecracation brought from England 6 Ratification in Parliament at Edinburgh 4 For puritie of externall worship Antichristian Ceremonies in 5 articles 1 Motioned at Aberdene 2 Vrged at Saint-Andrewes 3 Enacted at Perth 5 The diligence of the Defenders by continuall 1 Preaching 2 Suplication 3 Protestation 4 Information 5 Reasoning 6 Admonition 7 Suffering II. As it is now coÌ„cluded in parliameÌ„t whereof consider 1. The preparation during the space 1. Of 3 yeares 1 Let time try and worke 2 The names of the kings service and conformitie 3 Rumour that the wise and learned are for it 4 Vrged in Synods 5 Inforced by the high Commission 6 Practised by some defended by others who never yet practised 7 After many stormes against pastors and professors a calme for a Parliament 8 A meeting for supply to the King of Bohemia pretended 9 A Parliament which was intended judged more convenient 2 Of 2 moneths 1 The Parliament continued 2 All dispositions sounded 3 Faire promises made 4 Great terrours threatned 5 Simple ones deluded 6 Great wits tempted to look too 3 of some dayes before the ParliameÌ„t 1 Privat and publick meetings of the plot-masters 2 Ministers commanded by open proclamation to leaue the Town 2 The proceedings The first day 1 Diligence used that no minister enter in the house 2 Search made if any had entred to remoue them 3 Orations framed for the purpose 4 Lords of the Articles cunningly chosen and the seven officers of estate joyned to them 2 the daies following 1 The kirk dispossessed of her place 2 The toleration at length disputed 3 The fiue articles suddenly concluded 4 The Lords of Articles set to hauking hunting c. till the way was prepared for voting in publick 5 Emissaries for triall of wits and hearts 6 Arguments fitted for every disposition 3 the last day 1 Absents made prresent by Proxeis wherethrough was made to vote 1 Strangers 2 Some who had their liceÌ„ces passed 3 some against their owne mindes 2 Some who had refused commission to vote notwithstanding 3 They who were present made absent 1 Some moved to leaue the towne 2 Some dealt with not to ride 3 Some not to vote who had ridden 4 The entry of the house kept that no Minister enter 5 Pithie speeches 1 exhortatorie 2 Apologetick 3 Declaratorie 4 Promissorie mixed with terrors 3 The conclusion 1 Confusion in voting 1 All the Articles hudled up in one 2 Negatiue voyces noted for affirmatiue 3 The distinction of the three Estates suppressed 2 Ratification denied to the negatiue Burroughes 3 Gratulation for great successe 4 Contradiction from 1 The Ministers by supplications protestations informations c. 2 The hearts of the actors within 3 The good people without 4 The Heavens aboue 5 The judgements sinsyne III. As it should be refused against 4 Difficulties 1 Of appearance that the controverted ceremonies seeme not to bee matters of faith but indifferent removed by shewing that that be 1 Three degrees of matters of faith 2 Answerably as many degrees of Infidelity 3 Three sort of things indifferent 1 Indifferent by comparison made among things 2 In respect of the effects and consequents in this case 3 In their nature qualitie where distinguish betwixt a naked action and an action clothed with circumstances from divine determination which is three-fold 2 Of religious reasonable pretexts removed by shewing the like for 1 The foulest faults 2 The greatest Heresies 3 The grossest Idolatry 3 of promise that no more shall be urged 1 The times giue reply 2 The mysterie still prevailing 3 Against 1 The judgement of Prudence 2 The course of Gods dealing 3 Satans subtill working 4 Hard successe upon the Defenders 1 Dutie is ours successe is Gods 2 It may be better then is expected if we fall not away 3 More grievous Croceis and odious aspersions upon the worthiest 1 Of the foundation the principles of religion 2 Vpon the foundation their necessarie consequents 3 About the foundation whatsoever is in Scripture ceremonies should be of this degree condemneth 1 Ignorance in the first sort 2 Error in the second sort 3 obstinacie in the third sort 1 Of the same kinde Thus sitting best kneeling worst standing mid-way 2 Consisting in our knowledge Thus sitting best kneeling worst standing mid-way 1 Deplored 2 To the worst and to the weakest evill spirituall 3 To the best evill naturall oeconomicall civill Ecclesiasticall 1 Morall and vniversall removing Indifferencie from the controrverted ceremonies if ye consider 1 That circumstances are of the substance of an action 2 That the ten commandements bee not taken literally as ten words but largely as the common heads of all morall duties 2 Ceremoniall and Nationall among the Iewes Controverted ceremonies coÌ„pared with theirs in 4 periods of time 1 Before the giving of the law 2 Before the death of Christ 3 Before the destruction of the Temple 4 To the end of the world 3 Evangelicall christian where distinguish betwixt 1 Divine institutions 2 Ecclesiasticall constitutions to be made Human inventions such are they 1 Vpon matters in their nature indifferent knowne by 2 rules and their 3 consequents all removing indifferencie from the controverted ceremonies 2 According to the Apostolick rules transgressed by them THE COVRSE OF CONFORMITIE
to cover the ugly face of a strange monster Archip. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water Prov. 17.14 And you seeme to have sayd that our present inundations did begin at that breach Epaph. It was so indeed 1 May 1597. Continued and increasing at Dundie for in the next assembly holden at Dundie the water becomes broader and the schisme begun at Perth groweth greater 1. by difference of judgement anent the confirmation of the former assembly holden at Perth 2. by diversitie of opinions concerning the setting down of some notes in forme of declaration of certaine of the acts concluded at Perth explaining his Maiesties and the assemblies meaning for the satisfaction of such as then vvere not acquainted therewith and now to be registred in this assembly at Dundie to remaine c. but like the glosse of Orleans 3. by indulgence for duetie directed in a new commission carying greater favour to the excommunicats their vassals their insinuating care of the dangers of the Kirk imminent from a higher cause 4. from a new forme of commission drawing power from the generall assembly to a few number of persons and aiming them for execution of some of the dangerous articles rashly yeelded to as did appeare in diverse attempts Lastly about excommunication and other points of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction And againe the spait of division swelleth to a great height the flouds encrease and prevaile in the assembly holden at Dundie the 7 of March 1597 1. by certaine greeves put in Articles by brethren of divers quarters of the countrey and given in against the the proceedings of the commissioners anent alterations made at Edinburgh and Santandros and forme of casting out and putting in ministers the vvhich greeves behoved to be buried otherwise no peace for the Kirke 2. for the commissioners presumption taking upon them vvithout expresse and particular warrant from the Kirk to treat with the parliament holden at Edinburgh the 19 of December 1597. anent the Kirkes vote in parliament she standing as yet in doubt if it should be thought leesome that the ministers should succeed in the prelates places for voting in Parliament 3. About the diversitie of Iudgement anent the conditions of the sayd vote some holding that the Kirk should be declared the third estate of parliament and authorized with all lawfull priviledges and having libertie as Barons and Burgesses have to choose their own commissioners others ready to take the same in what sort and vpon vvhat conditions it might bee had 4. About that woefull commission continued and enlarged vvith a seeming but sore clause for keeping the Ministers free of offences Archip. Your vvaters are like to grow to a sea vvherin the course of navigation looseth the sight of the one pole and entreth in some degrees of elevation of the other Beware of shipwrack of religion in the end Epaph. The truth is the division prevailing at Dundie becommeth a great sea at Montrose Preuailing at Montrose and bringeth in that Trojan horse so pleasantly palliat vvith a faire mantle of fine caveats and even then greedily gaped for by some foresmelling their own wealth honour in that Ecclesiasticall Tragedie but constantly refused by others foreseeing and fearing more sorrow to the Kirk in the conditions annexed then apprehending good in a seeming benefit so violently offred In that generall assembly the 18 day of March 1600 after many combats and braulings about the cautions restraining the commissioners voters in Parliament from corruption frowardly as it might be the caveats the lurking deceit of hierarchie vvere finally set downe Archip. These palliative caveats are in form and effect much like the professions set out by Foegadius and Servatio to save the Kirk as they imagined from Arrian perfidie but in event a furtherance to their blasphemous haeresie and cruell victorie It vvere better to hold theeves at the doore then wait upon them in the house that they steale not I vvould know before I proceed vvhat miseries followed upon this unhappy division and alteration made in these foure assemblies begun at Dundie and concluded at Montrose Epaph. Evils ensuing upon the former division The tongue and pen of another Nizianzene vvere not sufficient to deplore and expresse them to the full In the generall assembly holden at Bruntyland the next yeare 1601 May 12. and at Halyrood-house the yeare following 1602 November 10. these are pointed at Defection from the puritie zeale and practise of true religion proceeding from the just vvrath of God for dishonouring of our profession the negligence of the Ministers against Papists the desolation of divers parts of the countrey for lack of Pastors the neglecting of places of chiefest importance to the interest of religion in not planting them vvith sufficient Pastors the ouer-hasty admission of men to the ministerie before their sufficiencie be knowne the negligence of Ministers in reading the Scriptures and controversies betwixt the reformed Kirk and enemies thereof the uncomely carriage of Ministers framing themselves excessiuely to the humors of men in communications intemperance and light apparrell the distraction vvhich is supposed to bee from some of the ministerie and of themselves from themselves the desolation of the Kirke of Edinburgh the great favour showne to Papists and their great credit by that meanes in negligent education of noble mens children the impunitie of Saylers transporting and bringing within the countrey Seminarie Priests and Iesuits vvith their coffers and books that men suspect in religion when they are chalenged haue accesse to court during the time of their processe That the late reconciled Papists are not urged to performe the conditions agreed to at their reconciliation to the Kirke All vvhich were either caused or occasioned by the former division Epaph. It had been high time vpon these evident dangers and pittifull cryes of the Kirk to haue repented of the former division and to haue returned to their brotherly vnitie and Philadelphian profession Nec enim vllum maius concordiae vinculum quam timor externus Epaph. Multi clerici sunt progenies viperarum Policie did foresee that that happy course vvould not satisfie the burning lust of Hierarchie Second degree of defection for Iurisdiction usurpation and therefore they are so farre from once looking back to brotherly agreement upon equall conditions that esteeming the fire of division to be the most naturall element for their purpose they add fresh oyle by labouring to abolish the Iurisdiction of the Kirk and giving a dead stroake to her chiefe priviledge of holding of generall Assemblies ordinarily once in the yeare and after pro re nata which is the second essentiall degree of our defection Archip. I haue seen the rent of vnitie I beseech you to bee as plaine in this poynt that I may be informed upon what occasion and by what meanes the Kirk was deprived of that awfull power and faire libertie Epaph. According to the order usually observed Assemby at Aberdine
That this Bishoprie is against the confession of faith called the Kings Maiesties confession sworne and subscrived at two divers times viz. in anno 1581 when it was first published and againe anno 1590. published with a general band for the maintenance of true religion and his Maiesties estate and person by his Maiestie his Queen and houshold and all estates of the Realme c. THE words of that confession for this purpose are these We abhorre and detest all contrary religion and doctrine chiefly all kind of Papistrie in generall and particular even as they are now damned and confuted by the word of God and kirk of Scotland and in speciall the Popes worldly monarchy and wicked Hierarchie his crossing annointing c. And finally we detest all his vain rites signes and traditions brought into the kirk without or against the word of God and doctrine of this true reformed kirk to the which we ioyne our selves willingly in doctrine faith religion discipline and use of the holy sacraments as liuely members of the same in Christ our head Promising and swearing by the great name of the Lord our God that we shall continue in the obedience of the doctrine and discipline of this kirk and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the dayes of our lives vnder the paines contained in the Law and danger both of body and soule in the day of Gods fearfull judgements And after a few lines Wee therefore willing to take away all suspicion of hypocrisie and of double dealing with God and his Kirk protest and call the searcher of all hearts to witnesse that our mindes and hearts doe fully agree with this our confession promise oath and subscription So that we are not moved for any worldly respect but are perswaded onely in our consciences through the knowledge and loue of Gods true Religion printed in our hearts by the holy Spirit as we shall answer to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed Then if so be that the setting up of Bishops will throw down the discipline of our Kirk or if that office hath any thing to do with these corruptions of Papistrie Antichristian hierarchy The King our Soveraigne his most excellent and Christian Majestie and his Highnesse most ancient religious noble Estates of Parlament if there were no other reason but this one would not for all the world fall under the danger of so horrible a perjurie against God to set up Bishops again yea and if it were no more but respect of civil honesty honor estimation before the world they would not be inferiour to Herod in releiving the religion of an oath and great name of God interponed namely this Confession of faith being put in print twise within the realme by speciall command and priviledge translated in all vulgar languages throghout Europe yea and at his Maiesties coronation in England put in Latine and published a new againe by that common post of the world in our age Mercurius Gallobelgicus But so it is as all men know that the discipline and government of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries and by Bishops are so opposed one to another that when the one is set up the other must down of force Therefore the subscrivers and swearers of the former confession if they should as God forbid be about to set up Bishops and Episcopall governement they could not eschew the crime of horrible pâ—rjurie execrable Apostasie and most cursed repairing again of Iericho from the which the Lord preserve his most excellent Maiesty and honourable Estates of this present parlaiment And if any man doubteth what was the discipline of the kirk of Scotland at the first subscriving and swearing of that confession let them seek the Register of the general Assembly holden at Glasgow to the which it was presented together with a platforme of the whole Presbyteries to be established throughout the Realme by the Laird of Caprinton coÌ„missioner for his maiestie to the sayd assembly in the yeare of God 1581 they shal find that the Bishopries were wholly abolished in the assembly holden at Dundie the yeare immediatly preceeding So that without al questioÌ„ â—t is meant of the discipline of the kirk exercised by Presbyteries Synods and generall Assemblies directly opponed to the corruption and tyranny of Bishops as vvas clearly defined and ratified in Parliament After the second subscriving anew againe of the sayd confession in the yeare 1592. In end seeing these same men who now would be Bishops haue once or twice sworne and subscrived this confession it marvels me vvith what forehead they can be about a purpose so quite contrary thereto CHAP. VI. That this office of Bishoprie is against the constitutions of the Kirk of Scotland in her Assemblies MAister Knox following the light of holy Scripture and the advice of Theodor Beza as he had preached continually so immediatly before his departure he wrote to the generall Assemblie convened at Striveling in the yeare 1571 in these words Vnfaithfull and traytors to the stockes shall yee bee before the Lord Iesus if that with your consent directly or indirectly yee suffer unworthy men to be thrust in within the ministerie of the Kirke under what pretence that ever it be Remember the Iudge before whom yee must make an account and resist that tyrannie as yee would avoyd hells fire And this letter is registrat in the acts of the sayd Assembly In the generall Assemblie convened at Edinburgh in March 1572 sess 7. M. Iohn Spottiswood superintendent of Lawthiane gaue in this article It is neither agreeable to the word of God nor practise of the primitiue Kirke that the spirituall administration of the word and sacraments and the ministration of the civill and criminal justice should be so confounded that one person may occupie both the cures Wherfore the whol Assem refused the Earle of Morton then Regent his desire to make ministers sessioners in the colledge of Iustice From that assembly unto the assembly holden at Dundie Iuly 1580 the corruption of the Bishoprie vvas more and more espect unto the time the vvhole Assem being ripely advised and fully resolved all in one voyce yeelded as followeth Forasmuch as the office of a Bishop as it is now used and commonly taken within this realme hath no warrant authoritie nor ground in the word of God but is brought in by the folly and corruption of mans invention to the great overthrow of the Kirk of God The whole assembly of the Kirk in one voyce after libertie given to all men to reason in the matter none opponing himselfe in defending the sayd pretended office Findes and declares the same pretended office used and tearmed as is aboue sayd unlawfull in it selfe as having neither fundament ground nor warrant in the scriptures of God and ordaines that all such persons as bruikes or shall bruike hereafter the sayd office shall bee charged simply to dimit
civill histories full of such effects the smallest haire of root and pickle of seed is therefore to be fanned away and plucked out of all Kirkes Kingdomes and Common-wealthes This the godly wisedome quicknesse of wit prudence and sagacitie of the King who is as an Angell of God can well marke and take up a farre both to beware of it where he hath found it and can not well amend it and not to permit to creep into the field so carefully and cleane purged therefrom Thus passing over the impairing of the Kings patrimonie and many moe things against his Highnesse weale and honour for brevities sake I end this point not doubting but his Majestie is alwaies mindfull of that declaration so clearely godly and eloquently penned subscribed by his Highnesse own hands at his Majesties Parliament holden at Linlithgow in December 1585. The conclusion whereof is most worthie of remembrance at this time for that by forgetting that these who seek Episcopall dignitie seekes the hurt and dishonour of his most renowmed Majestie Then shortly to end this my declaration I mind not to cut away any liâ—ertâ— granted by God to hiâ— Kirk I acâ—lame not my selfe to be judge of doctrinâ— in Religion sâ—â—â—tion heresies or true interpretation of Scripture c. And in end My intention is not to 〈◊〉 with excommunication neithâ—â—â—â—â—â—me to my selfe or my 〈◊〉 power in anâ—â—â—ng that 〈◊〉 weer Ecclesiasticall neither to meddle in any that God wâ—â—â—â— thâ— wâ—y dâ—vâ—lvâ— in thâ—â—â—nds of the Kirk â—nd to conclude I confâ—sse and â—â—k◠〈◊〉 â—ge Christ Iesus to 〈◊〉 Heâ—d and Law-giver to the same And whâ—tâ—â—â—vâ—r persons 〈…〉 themselves as heâ—d of the Kirk and not 〈…〉 thing that the word of God 〈…〉 miâ—â—â—â— to his Kirk that mâ—â— I fâ—â—â—â—mmiâ—ts manifest 〈…〉 against the 〈…〉 the words of his Son against 〈◊〉 Sâ—nâ—â— not â—â—y gâ—â—iâ— and in tâ—king his place against th◠〈◊〉 Châ—â—â—t the 〈◊〉 how Spirit â—hing contrâ—â—y 〈◊〉 to his consâ—iâ—nâ—e Certainly thus hâ—â—â—ouriâ—g Gâ—d and Iesus Christ his Highnes shall be wâ—ll and honourable according to that promise I will know him that honours me CHAP. X. That this Bishoprie is against the honour and weale of the Realme WHâ—rein hath stood thy honor and weale ô Scotland these 〈◊〉 yâ—ares and aboue Was it not in the â—â—gement of all thâ—â—◠〈…〉 â—â—ghtly â—â—th sincerity of the Gospel freedom of Iesus Christs â—â—â—â—â—om estâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â—o notably within thee vvith so 〈…〉 that Gospel of peace came vvithin th◠〈…〉 forraine wâ—â— and all commâ—tions vvithin thy 〈…〉 beene easily setled God bâ—â—ng in the mâ—â—st of thâ—◠〈◊〉 bringing 〈◊〉 judgement upon all thâ—t 〈◊〉 their hea◠〈◊〉 their 〈…〉 against his Kirk And 〈…〉 so â—o â—â—â—h and bevvitched is not 〈◊〉 hold fast that vvâ—â—y having hâ—d Christ so clâ—â—rly â—â—â—â—ted forth before thy eyes as if â—hâ—m with the same had seene hiâ— crucified Shalt thou vviâ—h those foolish Gâ—lâ—tians begin in the spirit end in the flâ—sh Wâ—â— thâ—â—â— follovv thâ—m of vvhom the Apostle vveeping 〈◊〉 vvrite that thâ—y are enemies to the crosse whose end iâ— destruction or damnation who God iâ— their â—â—lly whose glorie iâ— shame earthly minded men vvho seekes not the glory of Christ not safety of the soules of thy people but to be thy guiders and misguiâ— thee to be thy conductâ—r seduâ—â— thee to make thee to sinne against God after the manner of the golden Calues at Dan and Bethel that so the Lord may be inâ—enâ—â—d and cast thee avvay from his face They seeke glâ—rie amongst men and one of another so neither can beleeue and trust in Christ themselues not make thee doe it and be safe Surely for wealth and honour worldly thou was never comparable to other nations but the Evangell so planted in thee was that crown of thy glorie that decored thy head and set it up aboue all Realmes and Kingdomes upon the face of the earth Hearken dear mother what the Lord said unto his people Israel of old take it now to be spoken unto thee Deut. 4. Aske from the times of old that haue been before thee even from that day that God created man upon the earth fâ—â—th one end of the heaven unto the other if there was done such a thing as this is or if there hath been heard he like of it If any God hath essayed to come take unto him a nation out of the midst of another nation with proofes and signes and wonders with war strong hand stretched out arme finally with most great terrours according to all that Iehovâ—h hath done for you even your God to bring you out of the land of Egypt 2 Sam. 7.23.24 What nation is like thy people Israel in all the earth which for to be a people went to redeem and hath gone to get himselfe a name and to worke these great things and mightie reverently to be admired expelling from the face of thy people whom thou redeemed to thee out of Egypt the Nations and their Gods for thou hast established thy people Israel that it may be a people unto thee for ever and thou Iehovah their God Psal 147. Who telleth his word to Iacob his Statutes and Lawes to Israel he hath not done so to my nation therefore they know not these Lawes Praise yee the Lord. Was not Papistrie thy Egypt ô Scotland and did not the Lord deliver thee out of it and safeing thee from that tyrannie and thraldome brought thee unto a pleasant Canaan of his Gospell to serue him in spirit and truth and that in such a manner and forme as the like was never heard nor seene And no lesse miraculously hath he made thee to dwel therin so long so safely so freely and shalt thou then goe and make to thee other Captaines by Moses and Aaron yea contemning them thy lawfull Priests Levites to lead thee back again into Egypt God forbid But so it is deere natiue country your Seers see and your Watchmen giues you a faithfull warning crying to you that the Episcopall Hierarchie is verie Papistrie and spirituall Egypt Howbeit by the pollicie of men otherwaies buskit attired and dressed to take the foolish and simple withall It is no other thing in the substance thereof taken from the last and grossest dung of Antichrist making the Kingdome of Christ to be of this world turning the spirituall worshipping of God in outward toyes and ceremonies bringing the pompe of the world into the simple and humble Kirk yea corrupting the fountaines of the waters of life and empoysoning the food of the soules to work dangerous sicknesses and deadly diseases amongst thy sonnes and daughters The whole Pulpits hath sounded unto you so many years and yet continues to sound where they are not emptied or terrified by their tyrannie Admitting that Bishoprie againe lost is your honour wracked is your welfare and gone is your grace and garland of heavenly and spirituall glorie for ever Forget not the first essay of
harme Therfore the Lords of secret Counsell ordaining letters to be direct to command and charge the whole Ministers presently being in this Burrow except the ordinarie Ministers of the Burrow and such others vvho upon the notorietie of their lawfull adoes heer shall procuâ—â— warrant from their Ordinarie and failing of him from one of the Archâ— to remaine and abide still heer by open Proclamation at the Market crosse of Edinb to remoue depart out of the said Borrow within 29 houres next after the said Charge that they onnâ— wise presume to repair again thereunto during the time of this Parliament under pain of rebellion And if they or any of them fâ—ile the said space being bypast to denounce c. vvhich denunciation to be used at the Market crosse of Edinburgh shal be as sufficient as if it were used at the market crosse of the head Burroâ— of the shire where they dwell certifying them also that their denunciation they shall be taken apprehended warded and punished accordingly Archip. That is more then ever I looked could haue proceeded from Christian authoritie professing the same reformed religion with us It was a strong prognostick of great rigor against the persons of the Ministers and of great preiudice to the cause of religion What was the resolution of the Ministers Epaph. They could not stay against the proclamation they could not altogether desert the cause in so desperate a time And therefore finding that the commissioners of Shires were sent for and earnestly desired to make knowne their grievances with faire promises of satisfaction a strong preparation to purge the great matter of all opposition and that after assayes there was no hope of recalling of the rigor denounced against them for obedience first to God and next to God unto his Maiestie they resolved as followeth VVEE the Ministers of Iesus Christ in his Highnes kingdom of Scotland being convened from the quarters of the Countrey to concurre for the weale of the Kirke and according to the ancient custome thereof observed before in Parliaments to consult upon weightie affaires as the present case requireth consideration and being charged at the market crosse of Edinburgh to remoue forth of the sayd Borrow within 29 houres immediatly following the sayd charge as also justly fearing harder sequells to follow upon such beginnings haue concluded according to the necessitie layd upon us to haue our informations and admonitions to the honorable Lords of Parliament attesting them in the name of our Lord Iesus to remember the labours and sufferings of their honorable predecessors and to doe in the matters in hand as they would be accepted at his glorious appearance and praying to the Father of lights to open their eyes and to incline their hearts to try things that differ and approue things expedient Archip. Informations and admonitions good for them cannot be evill for me and others and who knoweth if being represented to them after so many sensible confirmations from heaven and earth they consider of them more advisedly and unpartially and so many as haue lost their first loue remember from whence they are fallen and doe their first workes Epaph. Some preposterously iudge of all reasons by the conclusion and not of the conclusion by the reasons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others are so obstinatly set against al persuasion that Ne si persuaseris persuadebis And a third sort close their eyes and ears against all information they fear that the light of their minde prejudge their affection and they be made to beleeve that for true which they wish were false yet both for their sakes whose repentance wee are seeking and for your owne and others whom we would confirme behold some of the many then left behind us Reasons left by the ministerie to the members of parliament YOur Honors assembled in this present Parliament ought to abstaâ—â— sâ—â— ratification and all corroboration whatsoever of Perâ—h Assembly and Actes thereof for the reasons following and many moe alleaged and to be produced if your great adoes could permit 1 It is but an assembly single and in it selfe diuided 2. in forme of proceeding not onâ—ly different from others but directly against the order establishâ—d by the kirk 3. In effect contrarious to all generall and provinâ—iall Assemblie Pâ—â—sbyterâ—es and Sessions as they are institute and have been hâ—lâ—â— in Scotland since reformation of religion within the same 4. The carried s ntence and actes thereof are repugnant to the forme of religion retrived beloved professed established and defended by this kirke and whole body of this Realme by your Honorable predecessors of worthy memorie and your selues and practised vniversally and in the severall paroches of this kingdome these sixtie yeares and aboue Non est a consuetudine recedendum sacise nisi rationi adversetur much lesse from a known truth directed and blessed by God in such abundance of benefits as the lend hath enioyed with religion No kirk Protestant nor Lutherane nor of other profession Papist or whosoever wil go in a change without some evident at least apparant reason of the word The change but of the old Calendar for the Popes new one and that is but a small thing made a great hurly burly both at Rigâ—m Livonia and at Augusta 2 Such ratification should crosse and directly preiudice the acts of Parliament 1592 and the provision expressed in the end of the act of Parliament 1â—97 And all other acts set downe in favour of the iurisdiction of the kirk libertie thereof assemblies and discipline Item his Maiesties proclamation published and printed at command of his Counsel 1605. Item the protestation made at Perth 1606 and all others made before and since Item the covenant made by the ministers and professors of this kingdome 1596 and 1597 and all other bands whereby Pastors and flockes haue oblâ—shed themselves in persons and continuall practise to stand to the forme of religion received and practised Tales legum mutationes would proue legum vulnera Quae in suo statu eademque manent etsi deteriora sunt tamen vtiliora sunt Reipub. quam quae per renovationem vel meliora inducuntur And with what credit and constancie could your Honors confirm separation from your fathers and the break of ancient vnitie conformitie with your own kirk when it may be truely sayd Melius atque rectius olim provisum quae convertuntur in deterius murantur 3 The reformers of this kirk and such as by a long continuance follow them said a sure foundation and builded upon the same without errour notwithâ—tanding of diffiâ—ile times It were our wisdome to go forward not haâ—kâ—â—rd to strengthen and not to weaken David left not the 〈◊〉 where Saul left it nor Salomon where David If our fathers were in the way our change is errour and out of the way And shall we say now thâ—â— our sound ancient profession is priscus rigor cui jam pares non sunt homines
death Another Admonition PLease your Honours take heed what you doe at this peremptor time concerning the establishing of the unlawfull act of the pretended assembly of Perth Christ hath put his cause in your hands be faithfull now or never Beware of bringing back and casting in again of this stumbling block The glory of God the standing of the kirk of this land your own soules and the soules of many thousands for whom Christ Jesus died is now in hazard and depends much if ye look to outward meanes vpon your fidelitie wherof ye shall not want witnes neither in heaven nor earth The eyes of men and Angels are upon you the eyes of those who mourne for the mis ries of Gods kirk are longing for comfort from you And the great iudge of the world the almightie our God whose eyes are all a flaming â—â—re â—â—e behold every mans part in this present Parliament Yoâ—â— voteâ— your actes your nameâ— shall be registrate to all posterity Ponder the â—â—ore the wâ—ght of the cause where with ye meddle and the fearfull inâ—◠〈…〉 wâ—â—â— doe accompany shal follow the ratification of the act of â—hâ—â—â—tended assâ—â—ly that will â—efall the king oâ—n of Christ his ministery the â—est part of sinâ—ere profe 〈◊〉 your fâ—iends familiars your children posterity and it may be also your owne persons both spiritually â—â—lly For if according to your plâ—ce in prudent humble maner yee do not resist the estaâ—â—shing of that act â—y all lawfull meanes yee cannot clâ—â—â—â— yourâ—sâ—lves of â—â—spiâ—ing the 〈◊〉 and covenant of God solemnly sâ—◠〈◊〉 sâ—â—sâ—rived â—y aâ—â—â— stâ—tes anâ— of drawing down the undoubted cuâ—sâ—â— of God which hâ—st 〈◊〉 nâ—w to come upon 〈◊〉 cannot be guiltles of 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 liuing the Papist to 〈…〉 thâ—n wee are wâ—â—e off yeâ— and of the greâ—ving of the hearts of the kings â—est suâ—iects of bringing thâ—iâ— faith and casting them in â—â—plexitie how to serve both God their natiue king Yeâ— cannot be guiltie â—e of the thrusting out of faithfull ministers and bringing in of yong boyes â—iâ—â—lâ—ngs and time serverâ— to the overthrow of the Gospel 〈◊〉 slaughter of souls Ye cannot misse to draw thâ— whâ—le â—and in a snare and in special the weaker Christi ns who by the f râ—e of civil law must either suffer their guides to become a prey to worse subiects thâ—n themselves or at least their meanes and estates to be so pilled and impaired by â—ines and penalties as in a short time they shall neither be able to serve their king their countrey nor their â—â—n necessities or else to controll and enthrall theâ—r conscienâ—es to the dâ—struction of their souls Now is the time wisâ—ly to prevent these things which if ye doe time shall approve you God and good men shall â—cknowledge you in this poynt better Christians better Statesmen better servants of God more 〈◊〉 and wisâ— subiects to the king better friends tâ— kirk commonweal then they who upon whatsoever pretences shall either urge or yeeld to the contrarie Resist theâ—â—ore the establishing of ceremonie as a reenâ—rie of Papistrie Our neighbour countrey grones under thâ— york which now is presented again to their nâ—â—kâ— and would redeeme the libertie which you haue had and y t in some meâ—sure enioy It cost your predessorâ— many a tear with God their utterm st endevoâ— with men to purchase transmit this liberty vnto youâ— and Christ hath bought it with his bloud for you Count not so lightly of it as to loose it for a moment â—ut stand fast in that liberty wherwith Christ hath made you free and be not intangled again with the yoake of â—ondâ—ge Good suâ—iects haue no iust cause to fear the offence of a good king in maintaining God right and their owne so long as their cause is honest and their dâ—fenâ—e lawful Stand therfore for the truth confesse Christ before men aâ— ye would that he shold confess you before the father Archip. If they had taken time to ponder your reasons and exhortations I cannot think that they could haue resisted so great evidence of truth so powerfully expressed But what resolution was taken in case all these meanes should failâ— Epaph. The Ministers resolved upon the last remedie a Protestation vvhich they left behind them in these words MAy it please your Honours in this present Parliament assembled â—nder the right high and excellent May of our deâ—â— dread Sov ProtestatioÌ„ to the Parliament We haue now before our eyes the forâ—seen and foretold bitter fruits of these alterations of the Kirk and â—â—â—t fear of farther evils to ensue upon such dangerous beginnings so much the more as wee are deprived of that ordinarie and general Assembly whereunto properly belongs to propone at Parliament the Kirk affaires And although for supplement of this pittifull defect in â—â—umble â—â—nner we did offer our reasonable supplication conform to his High proclamation we 〈◊〉 haue no place to be heard in our lawfull and religious desires In this hard and heavie case the sensible danger of our untimâ—â—s silenâ—e in thâ—se â—aies of the growth of som decay of grace contempt of thâ— Gospell troubles abroâ—d moved for the most part by the patrons of that bloudy Coâ—cel of Trent the consâ—ience of our inevitable coÌ„pearance before the judgment sâ—at of Christ to giue an account of our stewardship compels us as 〈◊〉 high extremitie to declare to your Hâ—â—our bounden harty affection to hold fast that anâ—ient faith forme of Religion received beleeved and defended by the Kirk â—f Sâ—â—tl the King Maj. and Eâ—tates the whole bodie of this Râ—â—lm your forâ—â—eers of worthy memory and your selues as God eternal truth onely ground of our salvation and of our high peace and prosperity by Gods undeserved mercie so long continued as also our unfaigned detestation of all formes ceremonies many or few that enemies of the truth may cast in our teeth as signes of repentance of our reformation or any part therof and presages to them of our return to their damned superstition either substance or ceremonies therof And likewise in the name of Iesus Christ whâ— shall render to every one that which he hath done in the flâ—sh to require your Honâ—â— to stand stedfastly for the said ancient Religion fâ—rme of doctrine Sacracraments Disâ—ipture as they haue been ministred in this Kirk ever since the Reformation of Religion for the jurisdiction and libertie of the true Kirk generall and provincial Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions as they are established by the Kirk and lawes of this Kingdome and against all usurpation and corruption of spiritual government and unnecessary Ceremonies as the fiue Articles of â—â—th Assembly and whatsoever is as aples of strife and deadâ—y destroyers of the kirk of Iesus Christ Otherwise if it shall happen as God forbid that any matter â—e propounded put in article or concluded in this present Parliament in prejudice of the said Religion
in that day Epaph. The second vvay was as skilfull but not so successefull as the first Vpon some question of place betwixt two Lords of Parliament both lovers of Religion it was apprehended that they would rather loose their votes then perill their dignity And therefore strait commandement was given to Noble men to keep their own places But as that worthy Grecian with his fellow-ambassadour buried their private emulations till their return when the publicke affaires of the common-wealth were exped so they perceiving the snare packed up the controversie for that time and of their Christian discretion and generous affection preferring a substantiall duety to a circumstantial ceremony kept their liberty and so disappointed that policie And as the first policie of this sort perswaded some to leaue the Town so the second vvould haue moved others to leaue their riding But on the other side I vvill tell you by the way that their policie could not make all to be present of vvhose concurrence they assured themselues Divine providence in one example might haue been a sufficient instruction to let them see how easily his Majestie might haue turned all their purposes and counsels to folly if it had beene his pleasure for that which befell one might haue befallen the rest For one of the Commissioners vvhom they had to be a ringleader of the rest of the Commissioners of the Burgesses fell off his horse and gaue place to another And vvho vvas this but that Commissioner of the chiefe Burgh Edinburgh vvho fell that day in the street and was forced to giue place to a craftsman chosen in his roome to be peere to that first kneeling Provest of that Town which was once as another Ierusalem sâ—nding the puritie power and loue of the Gospell through all the corners of the kingdome but now albeit the power of grace remaine in the hearts of many hundreds is as vniversally scandalous through suddenly admitted novations by themselves and their pastors too penitent of their protestation practisers and preachers of contrary conformitie and paternes of change to the whole countrey The Lord give them hearts to remember from whence they are fallen that they may repent and doe their first workes Archip Who knoweth but they who haue done so many things well for their common estate common workes and priviledges of their towne may doe somewhat and the Lord blesse them with an open doore for the libertie and flourishing estate of their kirke to the wonted benefit of the whole realme But proceed in the rest of your policies Epaph. The next degree must be to keep them from voting who had ridden and now entred in the house of Parliament and this vvas also brought about by perswading some Noblemen inwardly warned to vote against the fiue articles but outwardly wrought upon to vote for them to make a mid course and to lurk in the inner house till the kirkes part was acted and Gods vvorship through her sides had received a deadly wound and then to come forth to the stage and in their owne places to play their parts in civill matters It is better to be altogether Christians with Paul then to be almost Christians with Agrippa or not all with Feâ—tus He that loveth father or mother far more he that loveth the woâ—â—â— more then me is not c. Archip. Yee remember Nicodemus and Ioseph of Arimathea But there had been no place left for that policie if the former order kept in the Articles when the kirk was postponed had been now observed in face of Parliament Epaph. To the end that this policie might haue place when it was now made manifest that other matters would not find great opposition the kirk had a pathy pleader for her precedencie in publiâ—ke For after the Lord commissioners speech the Lord Chancellour spake for the kirkes right alleadging that both reason and custome required that the kirk haue the first place and for that cause giveth direction that the Act concerning the kirk meaning the fiue articles and ratification thereof bee first read Archip. What speech meane yee of the Lord Commissioner Epaph. When all were now entred into the house and were set in their owne places after deep silence he had a preface for voting short but vehement partly exhortatorie for yeelding to the fiue Articles of Perâ—â—â—â—artly apologetick for defence of his Ma against surmises of Popish religion partly declaratory attesting that there was nothing under heaven that could be so acceptable to his Majestie as that the Kirk of Scotland would receiue these fiue Articles and partly promissorie that he would ingage his honor saith credit upon that princely word which his Maiesty past to him that if they would receiue these 5 articles at that time his Highnes would never burden them with any more ceremonies during his life time according to a promise uttâ—â—â—ed by the Bishop of Aberdein to the same meaning for casing the way to the articles but without such reply as was made to him by a Noble man that hee was too liberall of his promises having no assurance for his Majesty would not bind himselfe after that sort Archip. That prefaâ—e was a strong cup of digestion Epaph. And was well seconded with the sweet sauce of my Lord Chancellors oration composed of two ingredients loue and learning For after he had pleaded in his Exordium for the Church her dignitie it is saith his L. an evident declaration of his Ma. loue to God and religion that he hath so great care of the Kirk and as for matters proponed they require not much disputation being already concluded by learned Bishops Fathers Doctors Pastors convened at Perth for that effect After this confirmation the Lord Commissioner addeth the confutation for against the apprehension surmise that his Maiestie was resolved to make this kirk in all things conforme to the Church of England he did assume that his Ma. willed him to signifie unto them that these being once concluded he would urge no other rite nor ceremonie and that by their according to these they would give singular declaration of their loyalty and therfore requested to take heed how they voted Archip. Was there no mouth opened at this time to make reply or to offer reason in the contrary Epaph. No place was lâ—â—t for reason onely against that summary form of proceeding the promise made to the Nobility for having the conclusions of the Lords of Articles 24 houres at least before they were voted in publiâ—ke was timously remembred and urged by a Noble man to the effect they might proceed with deliberation according to the worth of matters especially the acts being long and of great consequence and not to give suddain iudgment like as many ciphers as in effect sayd he they were made by that form of dealing I will not trouble you with the answer made to reasonable a motion and bitter repulse of all further deliberation but I will draw now to the conclusion Epaph.
first words of his answer to the Epistle to the reader if the answer be his he denieth that the externall vvorship of God and government of the kirk shall ever die till the vvorld be done how sick soever they be He is either very simple if he think that any man meaneth that in the kirk vniversal the vvorship external shal perish or very sencelesse if he deny that it may die in particular kirks vvhich is the authors meaning as is evident to the barnliest reader by the words immediatly following or most malitious and sycophanticall in abusing his adversarie and the reader against his knowledge through studie of contradiction Who could looke for such a stumble in the threshold Cantherius in porta Archip. I remember of one ground vvhich he beateth vpon continually and many thank him for it as freeing them from the guiltine e of their oath albeit they had done against their former practise before their knowledge of this evasion and bringing the periurie upon you and all their opposites It is taken out of the first confession of faith Art 21. Not that we think that any policie and one order in ceremonies can be appointed for all ages times and places But that they may and ought to be changed c. Of this sort he taketh to be sitting at the communion c. because it is not iudged a necessarie but convenient ceremonie Epaph. There be two sorts of Ecclesiastick ceremonies some are determinable by a generall law throughout the Christian world or vniversal kirk al which are determined in the word therfore are necessarie some again are national temporall local individual c. left to the determination of particular kirks according to the generall rules and therfore changeable as is contained in the article 2. there is a twofold convenience of ceremonies according to the foresaid two kinds of ceremonies the one essentiall the other accidentall the one is internall or intrinsecall from divine institution the other external framed to circumstances Now let him who hath most hardned his heart in that course judge betwixt him and God whether the one conveniencie or the other be meant vvhen sitting is judged to be most convenient seeing it is not sayd most convenient without any further or most convenient to the times or to the present constitution of the kirk as the Bish vvould haue it vvhile he boasteth of this so often saying that which at one time is more convenient at another time may be lesse convenient But it is expresly sayd Most convenient to the institution vvhich in all times places is the same neither can there be any thing most convenient to the institution at one time in one place not most convenient at another time in another place The day is coming wherin thanks given for this sort of evasions shall turne into bitter complaints Archip. I haue holden you so long ye haue sayd so much beyond my expectation in my first greatest difficultie concerning the appearance of the indifferencie of the controverted ceremonies that I am almost at my wits end and I know ye are so wearied that I cannot put you to further paines in the remanent difficulties vvhich are not so materiall Epaph. I would to God that ye and all others were both almost altogether at their wits end by solid resolution The second difficultie answered If my paines can be profitable to that end care ye not for my wearying I remember your second difficultie vvas that the ceremonies are concluded in kirk and parliament upon religious and reasonable pretexts vvhich I cannot deny if ye meane pretexts of religion and reason yee may remember first that the narratiue is onely the pretext but authoritie is the cause of the conclusion In reasoning and voting for the articles no mention of reverence of religion of reason but frequent mention of authoritie In the narratiue of the acts never a word of authority but of reverence religion reason That pastors people vvho either vvere not present or shall succeed hereafter looking upon the acts as they are conceived may think that it was not humane but divine authoritie not violence but reason that caried the conclusion 2. That plausible narratiues are but weak reasons in his eyes vvho can discern betwixt colours and causes substances and shadowes A wittie head never wanted a circumstance to his tale nor a pretext to his purpose Men are more troubled to bring things to passe then to find out pretences When the notary is once resolved to make a false instrument hee knoweth it must begin with In Dei nomine Amen Augustine sayth that in his time theeues going out under night to steale used first to guard themselues with the signe of the crosse Pirats haue their prayers as wel as the honest marchants on whom they prey Nero in slaying his mother and Caracalla in slaying his brother Geta had their owne special pretexts according to Machiavels direction and the tempter could alledge scripture against Christ Archip. These are odious comparisons and answer not to my meaning Epaph. I make no comparison but I answer to your generall of plâ—usible pretences Ye may be any thing that the world will if ye suffer your mind to be casten in that modell The Apostle Col. 2. giveth two notes of will-worship which may easily blind the simple appearance of wisdome and shew of humility But true vvorship is vvise humble indeed because it is the vvisedome obedience of God The vvorldling first layeth downe the conclusion and then finds out the pretext But the godly first seeth the cause and then the conclusion In the one the vvill runneth before the right wit and affection forceth reason In the other inlightned reason leadeth the vvill affections The one is persuaded before he be informed the other first informed and then persuaded And ever the more knowledge and the lesse conscience we find in any age vve may look for the fairer pretences and the fouler conclusions I might soone close your mouth in this matter by examples out of Ecclesiasticall historie But that the recording of some subtill pretexts might perhaps lead unstable soules into great dangers Archip. The danger is greater in suppressing them for I must confesse that the most part for their direction in a matter of religion try not the reasons vvhereupon it is grounded but content themselues vvith any pretext or shift that they may haue for honesties cause when their vvorldly estate or hopes are in hazard Epaph. It may be seen how faire colours haue painted foule errors even of Paganisme it selfe by the Apologies of Christians vvritten against the Gentiles as of Iustinus Clemens Alexandrinus Tertullian Arnobius Minutius Foelix Lactantius Iosephus against Appion Gregorie Nazianzen against Iulian Eusebius c. Symmachus in that one Epistle vvritten to Valentinian Theodosius and Arcadius giveth proofes vvhat may be said in a bad cause Durandi rationale is demonstratiue for Popish practise and how